Method and apparatus for retrieving calling party information in a mobile communications system

ABSTRACT

A method and system for providing calling party identification information to a called party in a mobile communications network. Servers external to the mobile communications network are used to generate and provide calling party information in the form of a service page or phone page without relying on calling line interface information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from PCT/SE00/01689 which inturn claims priority from U.S. applications Ser. No. 60/176,806 and09/644,307.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to mobile communicationssystems. More particularly, the present invention relates to providingcalling party identification information to a called party in a mobilecommunication system.

[0003] In the field of mobile communications, it is known to providecalling party information, which may be in the form of a “service page”or “phone page”, to a called party's terminal. For example, EuropeanPatent Application EP 0869688A2 discloses a method and means fortransmitting a service page in a communication system. The service pageinformation is provided to, and displayed on, a terminal associated witha telecommunications network using Calling Line IdentificationPresentation (CLIP) or Connected Line Identification Presentation(COLP). According to the method, a first subscriber sends a call requestto a second subscriber, and CLIP information is transmitted to thesecond subscriber. The second subscriber contacts an Internet AddressServer and transmits the CLIP information. The Internet Address Serverlocates an Internet address corresponding to the CLIP, if available, andtransmits the located Internet address to the second subscriber. Thesecond subscriber's terminal then contacts the Internet address anddownloads a service page, which is then displayed on the secondsubscriber's terminal. The service page includes informationcharacteristic of the first subscriber.

[0004] An example of such a system is shown in FIG. 1. A mobile terminalMT1 (associated with network PLMN1) initiates a call to mobile terminalMT(associated with network PLMN2) in step 1 by transmitting a dialednumber (corresponding to MT2) to network PLMN1. This step is typicallyperformed when a subscriber (not shown) associated with MT1 inputs thedialed number and pushes a SEND or transmission button on the terminalMT1. After step 1 is performed, the first network PLMN1 sends a messagein step 2 to second network PLMN2 requesting that a call be set up withmobile terminal MT2. After step 2 is performed, the second network PLMN2in step 3 sends a message to second mobile terminal MT2, activating avoice channel to establish the call. The message sent in step 3 alsoprovides an indication of the identity of mobile terminal MT1 in theform of CLI information. Finally, in step 4, the mobile terminal MT2sends a message to an associated external server PNS2, requesting aservice page associated with the calling party based on the CLIinformation received in step 3.

[0005] There are several drawbacks associated with relying on ConnectedLine Identification (CLI) to effect service page retrieval. A firstproblem is that the communication network service provider willtypically charge an additional fee for CLI distribution. A secondproblem is that not every service provider is able or willing toexchange numbers or other identification data when subscribers callbetween different networks; this potentially makes CLI useless for alarge number of subscribers. A third problem is that subscribers cannotcontrol individually whether or not their number or service page is tobe shown. For example, some subscribers maintain their number insecrecy; since this number is not transmitted when a call is placed, acorresponding service page cannot be retrieved by other parties. Thus,using the CLI technique, it is not useful for a subscriber having anunlisted or secret identification to have a service page.

[0006] A further problem with conventional calling party identificationtechniques is that some technologies or systems do not support CLItechniques or may require additional hardware, such as a fixed telephoneline. A still further problem with CLI techniques is that if the CLIinformation is diverted to another number, the CLI information can belost in some cases.

[0007] It would be desirable to identify a calling party to a calledparty while avoiding the use of CLI techniques, or in such a way so asto complement or enhance CLI techniques. It would also be desirable toidentify a calling party without relying on service providers or themobile communication networks of the calling and or called parties. Itwould further be desirable to avoid the problems identified above and toprovide additional advantages over conventional CLI-based calling partyidentification techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention overcomes the above-noted problems, andachieves additional advantages, by providing for a method, apparatus,and/or system for providing calling party identification information inthe form of a phone page to a called terminal, which either avoids orenhances the use of CLI techniques. According to the embodimentsdisclosed herein, a first mobile terminal transmits a message to a firstexternal server in conjunction with a triggering event such as thetransmission of the dialed number to a first communication network. Thefirst external server determines the identity of both the calling party(first terminal) and the called party (second terminal), and transmitsthis information to a second external server associated with a secondcommunication network and the second terminal. The transmission of thecalling party identification information from the first external serverto the second external server allows the called party (second terminal)to retrieve the information without relying on the second network toprovide CLI information. In another embodiment, the first and secondservers are the same, and the first and second networks are the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention can be more fully understood by referringto the following Detailed Description of presently-preferred embodimentsin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referenceindicators are used to designate like elements, and in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of a conventional call connectionprocess using CLI information;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of a call connection processaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a flow chart describing an exemplary method for handlinga call set up in a calling party's terminal, according to one aspect ofthe present invention;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a flow chart describing an exemplary method for handlinga call set up in a first external server according to another aspect ofthe present invention;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a flow chart describing an exemplary method for handlinga call set up in a second external server according to another aspect ofthe present invention; and

[0015]FIG. 6 is a flow chart describing an exemplary method for handlinga call set up in a called terminal according to an additional aspect ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 2, a functional diagram of a callconnection process consistent with a first embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. In FIG. 2, the first, or calling, mobile terminalMT1 transmits (in response to appropriate subscriber input) a calledparty telephone number (in this example, the telephone numbercorresponding to second mobile terminal MT2) to a first public landmobile network PLMN1 in step 1. The first network PLMN1 transmits amessage to the second network PLMN2, instructing PLMN2 to establish avoice channel for communication with second terminal MT2 in step 2. Instep 3, the second network PLMN2 sends a message to second mobileterminal MT2 to activate a voice channel and, optionally, providesupplemental information such as CLI information. In step 4, the secondmobile terminal MT2 transmits a message to a second phone page numberservice (e.g., a server external to the PLMN communication network) PNS2to retrieve a service page or phone page containing information aboutthe calling party. It will be appreciate that the foregoing steps 1-4are substantially the same as in FIG. 1.

[0017] According to one implementation of the present invention,substantially simultaneously with the transmission of the callinginformation to PLMN1, the first mobile terminal MT1 also transmits adata object request signal to a first external server PNS1 in order toretrieve a data object such as a phone page containing information aboutthe called party associated with the second mobile terminal MT2 in stepA. Note that this transmission in step A can be performed by firstterminal MT1 at the same time as the transmission of the callinginformation, or can be performed just prior or just after thetransmission of the calling information (for example, to avoid using toomuch of the mobile terminal's limited available power at one time). As aresult of step A, the first external server PNS1 now knows or can derive(e.g., by using a procedure such as is described in the copending,commonly-assigned application entitled “Method and Apparatus forLocation Event Based Information”, having Ser. No. 09/660,055, theentirety of which is incorporated by reference) the public identity ofboth the first and second mobile terminals MT1 and MT2. The firstexternal server PNS1 retrieves, derives, or otherwise obtains theidentity information and transmits this information to the secondexternal server PNS2 over a second communication link independent of thelink or channel used to transmit information between the first andsecond external servers in step 2. Preferably, the timing oftransmissions in steps A and B is such that the information containingthe identity and/or phone page information for the calling party isprovided in step B to the second external server PNS2 before steps 2, 3,and 4 are completed, so as to allow the second external server PNS2 toprovide requested phone page information to the second mobile terminalMT2 substantially immediately, or at least sooner than having to derivethe phone page information based on CLI information transmitted to thesecond network PLMN2 in step 4.

[0018] Note that the requested phone page information can include apointer or address of a phone page, or the actual phone page itself.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment, the second network PLMN2 can be setup (e.g., by appropriate software programming) to provide the phone pageinformation requested in step 4 by either using the CLI information (ifthis has been provided to the second mobile terminal MT2 in step 3 andprovided to the second external server PNS2 in step 4), or using thephone page information provided by the first external server in step B,whichever occurs first or which results in the requested phone pageinformation being provided to the second mobile terminal MT2 in theshortest period of time.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3, a flow chart describing a methodperformed by the first mobile terminal MT1 in the embodiment of FIG. 2.Such a method can be implemented using a suitably programmed processorresident in the mobile terminal MT1. In step 30, the mobile terminalreceives an input (e.g., via a keypad) of a telephone number to becalled. In step 32, the mobile terminal receives a SEND or similarcommand to initiate a call to the called telephone number. In step 34,the mobile terminal transmits an appropriately-formatted signal,including the called telephone number, to the first network PLMN1.Substantially simultaneously with step 34, the mobile terminal in step36 transmits a data object request (e.g., for a phone page correspondingto the called mobile terminal) to the first external server PNS1. Itwill be appreciated that step 36 can be performed just prior to,simultaneously with, or just after step 34, with the goal being toensure that the first external server PNS1 can provide phone pageinformation for the calling terminal MT1 to the second external serverPNS2 before the second external server receives the phone page requestfrom the second terminal MT2. In step 38, after a voice channel has beenestablished with mobile terminal MT2, the mobile terminal MT1 receivescommunication from mobile terminal MT2.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow chart describing a methodperformed by the first external server PNS1 in the embodiment of FIG. 2.Such a method can be implemented using a suitably programmed processorresident in the first external server PNS1. In step 40, the firstexternal server receives a phone page request, including a called numberfor which a phone page or other data object is desired, from mobileterminal MT1. In step 42, the first external server determines, from thephone page request, identification information for both the callingterminal MT1 and the called terminal MT2. In step 44, the first externalserver transmits the identification information for the calling terminalMT1 to the second external server PNS2 which is associated with thecalled terminal MT2. In step 46, the first external server returnsrequested phone page information for the called terminal MT2 to therequesting terminal MT1. It will be appreciated that sequence of steps40-46 can be revised as necessary, preferably keeping in mind the goalof providing the identification information for MT1 to the secondexternal server prior to the second external server's receipt of a phonepage request from the second terminal MT2.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 5, a flow chart describing a methodperformed by the second external server PNS2 in the embodiment of FIG.2. Such a method can be implemented using a suitably programmedprocessor resident in the second external server PNS2. In step 50, thesecond external server PNS2 receives identification information for thecalling terminal MT1 from the first external server PNS1. Theidentification information can be the phone page information forterminal MT2 or can be information which allows the second externalserver PNS2 to derive the phone page information for the terminal MT2.In step 52, the second external server PNS2 receives a phone pagerequest from called terminal MT2. In step 54, the second external serverPNS2 determines whether the phone page request includes CLI information.If CLI information is included, the second external server responsivelygenerates and provides the requested phone page information using: 1)the calling information received in step 50, or 2) the CLI informationprovided in step 54, whichever provides the fastest result. If the CLIinformation is not included in the phone page request from the secondterminal MT2, the second external server PNS2 responsively provides, instep 56, the requested phone page information based on the informationreceived in step 50. It will be appreciated that step 54 can be omitted,and the second external server can automatically provide the requestedphone page information based solely on the information received in step50.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 6, a flow chart describing a methodperformed by the second, called mobile terminal MT2 in the example ofFIG. 2. Such a method can be implemented using a suitably programmedprocessor resident in the second mobile terminal MT2. In step 60, thesecond mobile terminal MT2 receives a channel set up request signal(which may or may not include CLI information) from the second networkPLMN2, which is the current service provider for the terminal MT2. Instep 62, the mobile terminal MT2 completes the communication link withmobile terminal MT1 via networks PLMN1 and PLMN2. In step 64, the secondmobile terminal transmits a phone page request to the second externalserver PNS2, requesting the phone page corresponding to the callingparty. As indicated above, the phone page request may or may not includeCLI information, depending upon whether or not the channel set uprequest includes the CLI information. In step 66, the second mobileterminal MT2 receives the requested phone page information.

[0024] The foregoing description has focused on a call as a triggeringevent to initiate the processes in the foregoing embodiments. It shouldalso be appreciated that other triggering events can trigger theprocesses above. Such triggering events can include, by way of example,the following:

[0025] An outgoing call is or is about to be initiated.

[0026] An addressed B-party answers a call.

[0027] An incoming call is imminent or has just started.

[0028] A conference call is or is about to be initiated.

[0029] A call is disconnected

[0030] A call is conducted (under which several triggering events can begenerated).

[0031] A subscriber is put on hold.

[0032] A new cell in the PLMN has been selected.

[0033] The location of a subscriber has changed.

[0034] A new Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) operator is selected.

[0035] A new country of registration is made.

[0036] A UE is about to be switched off.

[0037] A UE has been switched on.

[0038] When a designated button on a UE is pressed.

[0039] In response to a talk spurt received by a UE.

[0040] A voice mail has been left to a subscriber.

[0041] An SMS has been sent or received by a subscriber.

[0042] Further, information indicative of which “triggering event”initiated the phone page process can be transferred to MT2 (viasuitably-programmed software instructions).

[0043] While the foregoing description includes numerous details, itwill be understood that these are provided solely for purposes ofexplaining the presently-preferred embodiments of the present invention.Such details should not be deemed to constitute limitations of theinvention, as the embodiments described above can be varied in many waysby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention, as defined by the following claims and their legalequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for communicating between first andsecond communication devices, comprising: receiving, at a serverassociated with the first communication device, a first signal from thefirst mobile communication device, the first signal including at leastan identity of the second device; identifying a server associated withthe second mobile communication device; rendering a data object from thefirst signal; and forwarding the data object to the server associatedwith the second device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstsignal includes a dialed number corresponding to the second mobilecommunication device and an identification of the first mobilecommunication device.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data objectis rendered without using calling line interface (CLI) information.
 4. Amethod for communicating between a first communication device and asecond communication device, comprising the steps of: identifying, atthe second communication device, the occurrence of a triggering event;transmitting to a first server associated with the second communicationdevice a request for a data object associated with the firstcommunication device; generating the requested data object in the firstserver based on calling information provided by a second serverassociated with the first communication device; and receiving therequested data object from the first server.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the triggering event does not include calling lineidentification information.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein thetriggering event includes a calling line identification information, butwherein the requested data object is not derived on the basis of thecalling line identification information.
 7. A method for communicatingbetween a first and a second mobile communication device, comprising thesteps of: identifying the occurrence of a triggering event; transmittinga data object request including calling line interface (CLI)information, to a server associated with the second mobile communicationdevice; determining whether the requested data object can be generatedbased on the CLI information or the calling party information faster,and generating the requested data object using the faster technique; andreceiving the requested data object from the server.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the data object includes a pointer to the phone pageassociated with the second device.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein thedata object includes a phone page associated with the second device. 10.The method of claim 7, wherein the data object comprises the publicidentify of the second device.